Open Positions

FACULTY POSITIONS

Astroparticle Physics/Cosmology

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in astroparticle physics and/or cosmology. This search seeks an outstanding individual whose research will complement and connect existing activities in high energy astrophysics and nuclear/particle physics at Rice University (see http://physics.rice.edu). This is the first position in a cosmic frontier effort that may eventually grow to three members. Areas of interest include the energetic universe, cosmic rays and high energy neutrinos, compact objects, the early universe, dark matter, gravity and astrophysical manifestations of fundamental physics. While preference will be given to theoretical and computational astroparticle physicists/cosmologists, outstanding candidates with an observational or experimental focus will also be considered. The successful applicant will be expected to develop an independent and vigorous research program, and teach one undergraduate or graduate course each semester. The department expects to make an appointment at the Assistant Professor level. A PhD in astrophysics, physics or related field is required. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, a list of publications, and two or three selected reprints, in a single PDF file, to Ms. Umbe Cantu with a subject line “Astroparticle/Cosmology Search”, or by postal mail to: Prof. M. Baring, Chair, Astroparticle Physics/Cosmology Search Committee, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy – MS 108, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005. Applicants should also arrange for at least three letters of recommendation to be sent by email, FAX or post. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but only those received by January 12, 2015 will be assured full consideration. The appointment is expected to start in July 2015.

OTHER POSITIONS

Instructorships in Physics and Astronomy

The Physics and Astronomy Department at Rice University invites applications from recent Ph.D. graduates for instructorships in introductory physics, commencing July/August 2015. The successful candidates will lead small classes and assist with peer discussion sessions, cooperative group learning activities, on-line materials, laboratory sessions, and general course logistics. These are non-tenure-track positions with up to three-year terms and the possibility of reappointment. They support a new University initiative to reduce class sizes, and the teaching load is equivalent to three courses per semester. Evaluation of applications will begin February 1st and continue until the position is filled. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching and research interests, and a list of publications as a single PDF file, and should arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to: vcall@rice.edu with subject line "P&A Instructorship" (pdf format preferred), or by postal mail to P&A Instructorship Search, c/o Valerie Call, Physics and Astronomy Department – MS 61, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005-1892. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS

Membrane Biophysics

One postdoctoral research position is open in the membrane biophysics laboratory of Prof. Huey Huang. The lab has done research on membrane-active proteins, particularly membrane-acting antibiotics and amyloidal peptides, for over 20 years. Our interests are discoveries of new membrane related phenomena and development of new experimental techniques. Examples of discoveries include peptide orientation change in membranes, membrane thinning effect, toroidal pores, membrane fusion intermediate states, lipid extracting effect by amyloidal peptides, etc. Examples of new techniques include oriented circular dichroism, neutron and X-ray in-plane scattering, anomalous X-ray diffraction of protein-induced membrane structures (pore, fusion etc), and lately techniques of aspirated giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). We are looking forward to utilizing the 3rd generation synchrotron radiation microbeams to perform GUV experiments simultaneously with X-ray scattering.

We are looking for a new or recent Ph.D. who has research experience in experimental biophysics or related fields. The postdoctors are encouraged to develop their careers by making new discoveries and developing new techniques. Applicants should send a CV including three references and a brief statement of research interests to Prof. Huey Huang with a subject line “Biophysics Postdoc Search.”

The experimental high-energy nuclear physics group at Rice University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The successful candidate is expected to take a leadership role in physics analyses in the area of heavy-flavor and dilepton physics as well as be actively involved in the group’s responsibilities for STAR’s time-of-flight and muon-telescope detectors. It is anticipated that the position be initially based in Houston, TX with a possibility of relocation to BNL at a later time.
Interested candidates should hold a Ph.D. in high-energy nuclear or particle physics and submit by email a curriculum vitae, including a list of publications, and a brief description of research experience and interests. In addition, the candidate is expected to arrange for three references who are expected to send their letter of recommendation by email to Prof. Frank Geurts. Applications received by April 24, 2015 will receive fullest attention.

Rice University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, disability, or veteran status in its admissions policies, educational programs, or employment of faculty or staff.

Posted on March 31, 2015

Smalley Postdoctoral Fellowships in Quantum Materials

Rice Center for Quantum Materials (RCQM), recently launched at Rice University (rcqm.rice.edu), announces the opening of two postdoctoral fellowships.

Each of these Smalley Postdoctoral Fellowships in Quantum Materials carries a stipend of no less than $60K per annum. The positions, available starting January 2015, are appointed for one year and renewable for the second year. They are targeted towards the fields related to condensed matter physics, ultracold matter, low-dimensional systems, quantum materials for energy and other aspects of quantum materials.

The successful candidate must be able to start their appointment by the third anniversary date of their Ph.D. In addition, if the Ph.D. is pending at the time of application, the applicant must defend his/her Ph.D. thesis successfully by March, 2015. Applicants must contact a faculty member of RCQM. The list of involved faculty can be found at the RCQM website.

In consultation with an RCQM faculty member, the applicant must prepare a one-page (maximum) summary of planned research, with one additional page of references and figures allowed. A letter of support must be provided by the RCQM faculty sponsor, expressing approval of the applicant’s candidacy. A curriculum vitae including a list of publications, and three additional letters of recommendation are also required.

All applications must be received via email to John Marsh, at jfm3@rice.edu, by Monday, November 17, 2014.

Funds for the postdoctoral awards are in part provided by both the Smalley Institute and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at Rice University. Within the Smalley Institute, the funds are provided by the Peter and Ruth Nicholas Fellowship.